In a perfect world, union meetings would be attended by 100% of its members, each of whom would be as invested in the union as its officers.

But here in reality, membership engagement takes time, effort and, in most cases, some kind of product.

Newsletters continue to be a tool utilized by unions to spread their message in a time-sensitive way, keeping their members up-to-date on important information and working towards a common goal.

When helping unions create newsletters, or similar specialty print publications, we use the same CITIZEN_000812_Page_01process that is necessary to put out The Labor Citizen each month: collect information and photos, edit copy, and design and arrange all included materials into the most eye-popping and easy-to-read end product possible.

 

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A prime example of this is The Benchmark, the quarterly print newsletter published by the Ohio-Kentucky Administrative District Council of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. Representing a two-state jurisdiction that includes 19 local unions and over 6,000 members can understandably become a little difficult to ensure that everyone is on the same page, so to speak. The Benchmark provides a platform for both the ADC itself and its affiliated unions to provide the entire membership with important news, events, and training opportunities at one time.

Sheet Metal Workers Local 33 took a similar approach with their quarterly newsletter, The Layout, as their jurisdiction also extends across state lines. But instead of a printed product, Local  33 publishes their newsletter directly to their website, allowing their 4,500 members across Ohio and West Virginia all the latest news they need with a click of the mouse. The newsletter archive on the Local 33 site also makes it easy for its members to read (or re-read) past issues of The Layout.  

Whether in print or digital form, newsletters provide tremendous value to unions to engage their members all at one time…and one cost. LaborTools has years of experience helping unions nationwide spread their message in innovative and time-sensitive ways. Start your membership engagement plan by contacting us today.


LaborTools powered by BMA Media Group is used to help strengthen our union client’s organizations. From working with unions from the local level to the international, with training funds and labor management partnerships, as well as other labor organizations, BMA has experience with organizations of all sizes. We are here to create and implement unique and customized marketing campaigns for our clients.

At BMA, we offer services in the following categories: union event services (from writing the history of your union to executing the logistics of an event,) video production, website design, union marketing campaigns, print and broadcast advertising, social media management, development of print materials, building trades industry education, labor public relations and crisis management, union merchandise, as well as strategic branding and marketing of union organizations.

BMA Media Group is a Union Building Trades Contractor, signatory with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 673 and International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 6 / Sign Display and Allied Trades Local 639. BMA Media Group is also signatory with AFTRA and an affiliate contractor of the Cleveland Chapter of NECA.

Topics: Public Relations, Print, Member Communications, BMA Media Group, Branding, Industry Education, LaborTools, Union, Building Trades

Laura Ziemianski

Written by Laura Ziemianski